Vehicle lamp

ABSTRACT

A vehicle lamp includes a plurality of types of light output units having different illumination functions, a light emission drive unit configured to cause the plurality of types of light output units to output lights, and a monitoring sensor. The vehicle lamp is arranged at an upper part of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates to a technical field of a vehicle lamp.

CITATION LIST Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2015-171824

Patent Document 2: JP-A-2013-163518

Patent Document 3: JP-A-2015-145224

Related Art

A variety of vehicle lamp technologies have been known. For example,Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp including a sensor configuredto acquire information of a situation in front of a vehicle, and a lightdistribution control unit configured to perform light distributioncontrol of changing a light distribution that is to be formed by a lampunit, in accordance with a signal from the sensor.

Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a vehicle lamp having a monitoringfunction. That is, in a vehicle headlight device, image information infront of a vehicle captured by a front monitoring camera is acquired,and an attribute of an object in front of the vehicle is determined onthe basis of the image information. A camera control means is configuredto control an optical magnification of a zoom lens on the basis ofacquired vehicle speed information of a host vehicle, and a lightdistribution control ECU is configured to control a headlight unit inaccordance with the attribute of the object. By the above technology, itis possible to accurately determine a situation and an object on a roadsurface over a wide range ahead of the host vehicle.

Also, for example, as a lamp to be used for a vehicle, a lamp having aplurality of aligned light sources and configured to sequentially turnon the same has been known. Patent Document 3 discloses a method ofimplementing, as a turn signal, a light emitting operation with no senseof discomfort in a vehicle lamp including a plurality of light emittingelements to be sequentially turned on.

SUMMARY

The vehicle lamp is an indispensable unit that is mounted to a vehiclesuch as an automobile and configures a part of the vehicle. However, inaddition to a function as a simple illumination device, the vehicle lampis required to have a function and a configuration that can diverselycontribute to an operation of the vehicle.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provides a vehicle lampthat is more useful to a vehicle.

Also, a lamp that is to be mounted to a vehicle is considered to havewider functions so as to monitor the periphery and to contribute toenvironments, not simply for visibility of a driver.

One or more embodiments of the present invention further improves anddiversifies functions of a vehicle lamp.

Also, it is important for turn signals for presenting right and leftturns to increase recognizability from a peripheral person, for example,a passenger in a peripheral vehicle, a pedestrian and the like. One ormore embodiments of the present invention suggests turn signal lightemission having higher recognizability.

A vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention includes a plurality of types of light output units havingdifferent illumination functions, a light emission drive unit configuredto cause the plurality of types of light output units to output lights,and a monitoring sensor, and is arranged at an upper part of a vehicle.

That is, the vehicle lamp is configured as a unit including theplurality of types of light output units having different illuminationfunctions, the light emission drive unit configured to perform lightoutput drive, and the monitoring sensor for monitoring all or part of aperipheral environment. The vehicle lamp is arranged at the upper partof a vehicle.

In the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, a following configuration is considered. The plurality oftypes of light output units is an output unit of laser light,respectively, the light emission drive unit includes a laser lightsource and a drive circuit of the laser light source, and laser lightoutput from the laser light source is supplied to each light output unitby a light guiding path and is then outputted.

That is, each light output unit is configured to output the laser lightfrom the common laser light source.

In the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, it is considered that the vehicle lamp is configured as aroof unit of a vehicle.

That is, a vehicle lamp module itself is configured as a roof of thevehicle.

In the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, a following configuration is considered. A light output unitof far light distribution is provided as one type of the plurality oftypes of light output units having different illumination functions anda light output unit of peripheral light distribution for illuminating aperiphery of the vehicle is provided as another type of the plurality oftypes of light output units having different illumination functions.

For example, a light output unit of far light distribution as aheadlight and a light output unit of peripheral light distribution forilluminating a relatively adjacent region over a substantially entirecircumference around the vehicle are provided.

In the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, a following configuration is considered. A power supplycircuit unit configured to generate operating power of each unit and acontrol unit configured to control a light emitting operation and tocontrol a light emitting operation corresponding to detectioninformation of the monitoring sensor are provided.

That is, the power supply circuit unit and the control unit are alsoincluded and unitized.

A vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention includes a peripheral illumination unit including light outputunits capable of expressing a plurality of colors as illuminating light,in which a plurality of the light output units is arranged along acircumferential direction of a vehicle so that the illuminating lightcan be irradiated in an entire peripheral direction of the vehicle.

Thereby, it is possible to implement the illumination in the entireperipheral direction of the vehicle.

In the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, a following configuration is considered. One or more imagingunits for exterior environment recognition are provided. The one or moreimaging units are arranged so that an entire peripheral direction of thevehicle can be captured by the one or more imaging units. An imageanalysis unit configured to execute processing of detecting a body to bedetected as an object or a person around the vehicle from a capturedimage obtained by the one or more imaging units, and a control unitconfigured to variably control a color of illuminating light of thelight output unit, which is configured to irradiate illuminating lightat least in a direction in which the body to be detected recognized bythe image analysis unit exists, of the light output units of theperipheral illumination unit in accordance with a main color of the bodyto be detected are provided.

That is, the body to be detected as a person or an object is recognizedusing the captured image of the entire peripheral direction of thevehicle obtained by the imaging units. The illuminating light of a colorcorresponding to the body to be detected is irradiated to the body to bedetected.

In the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, a following configuration is considered. The imaging unitsinclude a visible light camera configured to capture visible light and afar-infrared light camera configured to capture far-infrared light,respectively.

By one imaging unit, a captured image by the visible light camera and acaptured image by the far-infrared light camera are obtained as an imagein an imaging direction of the one imaging unit, and the body to bedetected is detected and recognized using the images.

In the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, the plurality of light output units of the peripheralillumination unit is aligned in line on an entire circumference surfaceof a roof part of the vehicle, and a vertical light emission directionof the light output units is below a horizontal direction of the roofpart.

The peripheral illumination unit is provided to the roof part, so thatit is possible to improve the visibility of the peripheral illuminationfrom persons around the vehicle at a relatively high position.

In the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, it is considered that the light output units include outputunits of respective laser lights of red light, green light and bluelight, respectively.

The light output units configured to output R (red) laser light, G(green) laser light and B (blue) laser light are aligned, so that it ispossible to perform illumination, exterior notification and the like bydiverse color expressions.

A vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention includes a light output unit provided on a side surface of avehicle body, and the light output unit is configured to perform turnsignal light emission in which an end of emitted light moves toward afront part of the vehicle body.

That is, the light output unit is arranged on a left-side surface and aright-side surface of the vehicle body. The light output unit isconfigured to perform light output (sequential light emission) in such away that the end of emitted light gradually moves toward the front partof the vehicle body.

In the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, it is considered that the light output unit is configured toperform light emission in such a way that an upper end of the emittedlight becomes higher toward the front part of the vehicle.

Upon the sequential light emission, an upper end of a light emissionregion becomes gradually higher.

A vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention includes light output units configured to perform light outputseparately from each other for each of left front, left rear, rightfront and right rear corner parts of a vehicle body at least at bothside positions of the corner part, and is configured to perform lightoutput for each of the right front and right rear corner parts from thelight output units of both sides of each corner part, as a right turnsignal, and to perform light output for each of the left front and leftrear corner parts from the light output units of both sides of eachcorner part, as a left turn signal.

In this case, the light output units are formed at both side positionsof the corner part, as seen from each of the corner parts of the vehiclebody. As the right turn signal, the light output is performed at leastat a right side of a vehicle body front part, at a front part and a rearpart of a right-side surface of the vehicle body, and at a right side ofa vehicle body rear part. As the left turn signal, the light output ispedal′ ied at least at a left side of the vehicle body front part, at afront part and a rear part of a left-side surface, and at a left side ofthe vehicle body rear part.

In the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, a following configuration is considered. In the case of theright turn signal, a light output operation is performed so that both alight emission position of the light output unit provided at a vehiclebody front part and a light emission position of the light output unitprovided at a front part of a right-side surface of the vehicle bodyface toward the right front corner part of the vehicle and both a lightemission position of the light output unit provided at a vehicle bodyrear part and a light emission position of the light output unitprovided at a rear part of the right-side surface of the vehicle bodyface toward the right rear corner part of the vehicle, and in the caseof the left turn signal, a light output operation is performed so thatboth a light emission position of the light output unit provided at thevehicle body front part and a light emission position of the lightoutput unit provided at a front part of a left-side surface of thevehicle body face toward the left front corner part of the vehicle andboth a light emission position of the light output unit provided at thevehicle body rear part and a light emission position of the light outputunit provided at a rear part of the left-side surface of the vehiclebody face toward the left rear corner part of the vehicle.

That is, in the case of a right turn, a display is performed as if thelights (light output positions) advance from both sides toward the frontand rear corner parts of the right side of the vehicle body, and in thecase of a left turn, a display is performed as if the lights (lightoutput positions) advance from both sides toward the front and rearcorner parts of the left side of the vehicle body.

In the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, is it considered that a front window, a right side window, aleft side window, and a rear window of the vehicle are respectivelyconfigured as the light output units.

The turn signal light emission is performed by using the windows of thevehicle as the large-scale light output units.

According to the vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments ofthe present invention, the periphery monitoring and illumination areefficiently performed from the high position, so that it is possible tocontribute to improvement on safety of the vehicle traveling. Also, theunit having integrated the illumination function and the monitoringfunction is configured, so that it is possible to simplify theconfiguration of the vehicle and to efficiently manufacture the same.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it ispossible to perform the illumination in the entire periphery directionof the vehicle and to improve or diversify the functions of the vehiclelamp. Thereby, it is possible to increase the recognizability of theexterior environment of the vehicle and to improve the safety.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it ispossible to implement, as the turn signal display, the highlyrecognizable turn signal from the peripheral persons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle to which a vehicle lamp inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention ismounted.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a configuration of a roof module according toone or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of main partsaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate light distribution of a peripheralillumination unit according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention and a photographic subject direction of an imaging unit.

FIG. 5 illustrates laser light supply to the peripheral illuminationunit according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting color control of illuminating lightaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates projection directions of projectors according to oneor more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a vehicle interior image that is projected on a frontwindow according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a vehicle exterior image that is projected on thefront window according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a window structure according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a display operation of the vehicle interiorand vehicle exterior according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 illustrates arrangement of projectors for vehicle exterioraccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C illustrate a region setting of a window accordingto one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C illustrate a turn signal according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D and 15E illustrate another turn signalaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D and 16E illustrate another turn signalaccording to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

<Configuration of Vehicle>

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to thedrawings. In the embodiments, it is assumed that a roof module having afunction as a vehicle lamp is mounted to a vehicle. In the meantime, theembodiments are merely examples of implementing one or more embodimentsof the present invention. A configuration of the present invention isnot limited to that to be described later, and can be diverselyconsidered. In embodiments of the invention, numerous specific detailsare set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of theinvention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart that the invention may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known features have not been described indetail to avoid obscuring the invention.

A form of a vehicle 90 is exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 2A. FIG. 1 is aperspective view of the vehicle 90, and FIG. 2A illustrates a roofmodule 1, as seen from above. In the meantime, the shape, structure andthe like of the vehicle 90 to be described later are simply exemplary.

The vehicle 9 is a four-wheeled automobile having a function oftraveling as full-automatic driving or partial automatic driving or afunction of assisting driving of a driver by a driving support function.

A vehicle interior of the vehicle 90 into which a passenger is to get isa space surrounded by a front window 91F, a left side window 91LS, aright side window 91RS (not shown in FIG. 1) and a rear window 91RR(refer to FIG. 7). That is, the vehicle interior is a space in whichabout 360° around the passenger is configured by a window 91 (whencollectively referring to each window, the term “window 91” is used).

In FIG. 1, respective boundaries (joined parts of the windows) betweenthe front window 91F and the left side window 91LS, between the frontwindow 91F and the right side window 91RS, between the rear window 91RRand the left side window 91LS, and between the rear window 91RR and theright side window 91RS are denoted as corner parts 95. The corner part95 may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque.

The vehicle 90 is provided at an upper part with a roof module 1. Theroof module 1 is configured to form a roof of the vehicle 90 and has aconfiguration of implementing a variety of functions including a lampfunction.

A laser light engine 2 having a laser light source is embedded in asubstantially central part of the roof module 1.

A headlight unit 3 is provided at a vehicle front side of the roofmodule 1. As the headlight unit 3, a high beam output unit 3H, a lowbeam output unit 3L, and a spot beam output unit 3S are provided. Thehigh beam output unit 3H is configured to output illuminating light offar light distribution, and the low beam output unit 3L is configured tooutput illuminating light of near light distribution. The spot beamoutput unit 3S is configured to output illuminating light forspot-irradiating the front.

Also, although not shown in FIG. 1, a rear light unit 4 is provided at avehicle rear side of the roof module 1. The rear light unit 4 includes arear beam output unit 4H, a brake lamp unit, a rear lamp unit and thelike, for example.

An illumination configuration of the rear light unit 4 may be similar tothe headlight unit 3, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, a side part of the roof module 1 is formedover a substantially entire circumference with a peripheral illuminationunit 5. In FIG. 2A, the peripheral illumination unit 5 is shown with abroken line.

In the peripheral illumination unit 5, a plurality of light output units51 is aligned, so that illumination can be performed in a 360° directionaround the vehicle 90. The peripheral illumination unit 5 is arranged toperform the illumination within about 10 m in the entire directionaround the vehicle 90, for example.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged pictorial view of a part of the peripheralillumination unit 5. The light output units 51 aligned in thecircumferential direction have, respectively, a R (red) laser lightoutput unit 5R, a G (green) laser light output unit 5G and a B (blue)laser light output unit 5B. That is, each of the light output units 51is configured to output RGB lights, thereby performing illumination,exterior notification and the like by diverse color expression.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2B, monitoring sensor units 7 are also arranged,together with the light output units 51 as the peripheral illuminationunit 5. The monitoring sensor unit 7 is an imaging unit having a camera,for example. As shown in FIG. 2A, in order to perform image capturing inthe peripheral direction of the roof module 1, the eight monitoringsensor units are arranged at a right part of a front part of thevehicle, a left part of the front part, a front part of a right-sidepart, a rear part of the right-side part, a front part of a left-sidepart, a rear part of the left-side part, a right part of a rear part ofthe vehicle and a left part of the rear part of the vehicle. Thisarrangement is to set an angle of view in a horizontal direction of thecamera of each monitoring sensor unit 7 to about 50° and to performcapturing in the entire peripheral direction by the eight monitoringsensor units 7.

In FIG. 2B, an example where one monitoring sensor unit 7 has a visiblelight camera 7 a and a far-infrared light camera 7 b is shown. However,this is simply exemplary.

The monitoring sensor unit 7 includes at least the camera having thevisible light camera 7 a, so that it is possible to recognize aperipheral environment by an image and to recognize a person, an objectand colors thereof. The far-infrared light camera 7 b is included, sothat it is possible to favorably recognize a heat source body such as aperson and an animal.

Also, as the cameras, stereo cameras that are used as a pair of rightand left cameras are mounted, so that it is also possible to obtaindistance information to a target by using a triangulation principle.

Also, the monitoring sensor unit 7 may have a near-infrared lightcamera. Also, the monitoring sensor unit 7 may have a laser sensor and aradar sensor without the cameras or in addition to the cameras.

The headlight unit 3, the rear light unit 4 and the peripheralillumination unit 5 provided to the roof module 1 are respectivelyconfigured to output laser light, as the illuminating light. In one ormore embodiments of the present invention, the headlight unit 3, therear light unit 4 and the peripheral illumination unit 5 do notindependently have a laser diode and the like as the laser light source,respectively. Instead, laser light that is to be generated from thelaser light engine 2 is used.

That is, the laser light generated from the laser light engine 2 isguided to the high beam output unit 3H, the low beam output unit 3L andthe spot beam output unit 3S of the headlight unit 3 by optical fibers 6serving as a light guiding path and is output therefrom.

Also, likewise, the laser light generated from the laser light engine 2is guided to the rear beam output unit 4H, the brake lamp unit, the rearlamp unit and the like (not shown) of the rear light unit 4 by theoptical fibers 6 and is output therefrom.

Also, likewise, the laser light generated from the laser light engine 2is guided to the respective light output units 51 of the peripheralillumination unit 5 by the optical fibers 6 and is output therefrom.

The optical fibers 6 are provided in a three-system in correspondence toeach of the R laser light, the G laser light, the B laser light. Theoptical fibers 6 of three-system are partially exposed to an uppersurface and side surfaces of the roof module 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and2A, so that the optical fibers 6 (the respective RGB lights to betransmitted by the optical fibers 6) configure a part of an exteriorappearance design of the roof module 1.

In the meantime, the configuration where the headlight unit 3, the rearlight unit 4 and the peripheral illumination unit 5 use the laser lightgenerated from the laser light engine 2 is merely an example.

The headlight unit 3, the rear light unit 4 and the peripheralillumination unit 5 may independently have a light source such as alaser diode, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and the like, respectively.

Also, a part of the headlight unit 3, the rear light unit 4 and theperipheral illumination unit 5 may use the laser light generated fromthe laser light engine 2 and a part may use an independent light source.

<Control Configuration>

FIG. 3 depicts an internal configuration of the roof module 1 and aconfiguration of the vehicle 90 associated with an operation of the roofmodule 1.

An ECU (electronic control unit) 92 is a microcomputer configured toperform a variety of controls in the vehicle 90. The ECU 92 isconfigured to perform traveling control, automatic driving control,driving support control, and electric system device control of thevehicle 90, for example.

A battery 93 is a battery of the vehicle 90 and is configured to supplyoperating power supply voltages of a traveling system, an electricsystem, a control system and other units.

The front window 91F, the left side window 91LS, the right side window91RS, and the rear window 91RR are peripheral windows of the vehicleinterior, and have a function as a screen for displaying a vehicleinterior image and a vehicle exterior image, for example. In one or moreembodiments of the present invention, the ECU 92 is configured tovariably control transmissivity of each window 91 (91F, 91RS, 91LS,91RR).

Each window 91 is configured so that the transmissivity can be uniformlychanged as a whole of the window or different transmissivities can beset for each region in the window by the ECU 92. The ECU 92 isconfigured to control the transmissivity of each window 91 on the basisof information from a control unit 20 of the roof module 1, for example.In the meantime, instead of the ECU 92, the control unit 20 may beconfigured to directly control the transmissivity of each window 91.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the roof module 1 is provided with the laserlight engine 2, the headlight unit 3, the rear light unit 4, theperipheral illumination unit 5, the optical fibers 6, and the monitoringsensor units 7. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the roof module 1 isprovided with an image projection unit 8.

The laser light engine 2 of the roof module 1 is provided with thecontrol unit 20, a power supply circuit unit 21, a laser light sourceunit 22, a drive circuit 23, and an analysis unit 24.

The control unit 20 consists of a microcomputer and is configured tocontrol an illumination operation of the roof module 1, an operationrelating to captured image processing for monitoring a periphery of thevehicle 90, a display operation, and the like. Also, the control unit 20can acquire vehicle information by communication with the ECU 92 andrequest the ECU 92 to execute processing (for example, thetransmissivity control, and the like). Also, the control unit 20 canprovide the periphery information obtained by the monitoring sensor unit7 to the ECU 92.

For communication between the control unit 20 and the ECU 92, near fieldcommunication, wired communication, infrared communication and otherdiverse communication methods can be applied. Considering theconfiguration where the roof module 1 is arranged on an upper surface ofeach window 91, it is assumed that the ECU 92 is arranged at a lowerpart (a part lower than the window 91) of the vehicle. Like thisexample, when the window 91 is formed over the substantially entirecircumference, it is considered that a transparent transmission path isformed at a part of the window 91 or the corner part 95, which is aboundary of each window 91, and is used as a communication path so as toenable the control unit 20 and the ECU 92 to perform communication witheach other in a wired method.

The power supply circuit unit 21 is fed with power from the battery 93and is configured to generate an operating power supply voltagenecessary for each unit of the roof module 1. That is, the power supplycircuit unit is configured to generate a power supply voltage necessaryfor each of the control unit 20, the drive circuit 23, the analysis unit24, the headlight unit 3, the rear light unit 4, the peripheralillumination unit 5, the monitoring sensor units 7 and the imageprojection unit 8, and to supply the same to each unit. Depending on theconfigurations of the headlight unit 3, the rear light unit 4 and theperipheral illumination unit 5, the power supply circuit unit 21 maysupply the power supply voltage to the same.

It is considered that the power feeding from the battery 93 to the powersupply circuit unit 21 is performed by wireless power feeding.Alternatively, a part of the window 91 or the corner part 95 may beformed with a transparent power feeding path for power feeding.

In the meantime, it is also considered that a solar panel is arranged onthe upper surface of the roof module 1 and power generated from thesolar panel is used as the operating power of the roof module 1.

In this case, the power supply circuit unit 21 includes an electricitystorage configured to store charges generated from the solar panel, andis configured to generate a power supply voltage necessary for each unitby using a power supply voltage from the electricity storage and tosupply the same to each unit. In this case, the power fed from thebattery 93 and the power from the electricity storage may be used inparallel, and the power feeding from the battery 93 may be omitted.

The laser light source unit 22 includes laser light sources such aslaser diodes, for example, and is configured to output laser light.Here, R laser light, G laser light, and B laser light are respectivelyoutput by three laser light sources. The respective RGB laser lights aretransmitted to the peripheral illumination unit 5, the headlight unit 3and the rear light unit 4 by the optical fibers 6, respectively.

The drive circuit 23 is a circuit configured to drive the respective RGBlaser light sources of the laser light source unit 22. For example, thedrive circuit includes a current supply circuit to the laser diodes, acurrent stabilizing circuit, a protection circuit and the like. Thedrive circuit 23 is configured to enable the laser light source unit 22to output the laser light, in accordance with an instruction of thecontrol unit 20.

The analysis unit 24 is an image analysis unit, for example, and isconfigured to input therein captured image data from the cameras (thevisible light camera 7 a and the far-infrared light camera 7 b) of eachof the eight monitoring sensor units 7 configured to perform imaging formonitoring the periphery of the vehicle 90, as described above, and toperform an image analysis for each data. In this case, the analysis unit24 can recognize a peripheral person and a peripheral object, forexample, a building, a road situation, a traffic light, a mark, aguardrail, an obstacle, a leading vehicle, an oncoming vehicle and thelike by analyzing the captured image from the visible light camera 7 aof each monitoring sensor unit 7. Also, the analysis unit can recognizea weather, a sunshine direction and the like. Also, the analysis unit 24can recognize a peripheral temperature distribution by analyzing animage from the far-infrared light camera 7 b, and use the same forrecognition aid by the visible light camera 7 a.

In the case that the monitoring sensor unit 7 is provided with a lasersensor and a radar sensor, the analysis unit 24 analyzes detectionsignals of the sensors to obtain a variety of information.

The control unit 20 can execute a variety of controls, based on therecognition information of the peripheral environment obtained by theimage analysis and detection signal analysis of the analysis unit 24.

The roof module 1 is provided with the image projection unit 8. Theimage projection unit 8 has six projectors 8 a to 8 f, for example. Theprojectors 8 a to 8 f are arranged to project images from a bottom sideof the roof module 1 to each window 91, for example.

As projection light sources of the projectors 8 a to 8 f, the RGB laserlights from the laser light source unit 22 are used. To this end, therespective RGB laser lights are supplied to the respective projectors 8a to 8 f by the optical fibers 6.

The operations of the respective projectors 8 a to 8 f are controlled bythe control unit 20. That is, a projection operation and a displaycontent are instructed by the control unit 20.

In the meantime, the projectors 8 a to 8 f may have independentprojection light sources. Also, the projectors 8 a to 8 f may bearranged in the vehicle interior, independently of the roof module 1.

<Illumination/Monitoring>

The illumination and monitoring to be performed by the headlight unit 3,the rear light unit 4 and the peripheral illumination unit 5 aredescribed.

The headlight unit 3 is provided to the roof module 1. Therefore, theillumination is performed from the upper of the vehicle 90 toward thefront in a state where an angle of an optical axis relative to a roadsurface is larger than the related art. In this way, the illumination isperformed from the relatively upper position, so that it is possible toincrease the visibility of the road surface by the passenger.

Since the rear light unit 4 is also provided to the roof module 1 andthe illumination is performed from the relatively upper position, it ispossible to increase the visibility of the rear road surface.

As described with reference to FIG. 2, the peripheral illumination unit5 has the light output units 51 arranged at the periphery of the roofmodule 1, so that it is possible to illuminate the 360° region aroundthe vehicle 90.

The light distribution of each light output unit 51 in the verticaldirection is configured to be lower than a horizontal direction of theroof module 1.

For example, FIG. 4A depicts the horizontal direction of the roof module1 with a dashed-dotted line H. In contrast, a light emission directionof the light output unit 51 arranged in the peripheral illumination unit5 is set to be within a range of an angle θ1 shown with a broken line,for example. By this light distribution, it is possible to illuminate aperipheral region of about 10 m.

By the light distribution, it is possible to prevent glare from beingirradiated to a far person. Also, a person adjacent to the vehicle 90 isprevented from unconsciously looking directly at the light from theperipheral illumination unit 5. Meanwhile, in a case where a position ofan eye is low, such as a child, a person may unconsciously look directlyat the light. Therefore, when a person is recognized as a result of theperiphery environment monitoring, it is considered to stop the lightoutput from the light output unit 51 toward the person or to change thelight distribution.

Also, the vehicle 90 itself becomes an infrastructure at a correspondingplace by the illumination of the peripheral illumination unit 5, so thatthe periphery is illuminated. When there is a plurality of the vehicles90 in an urban area and the like, it is possible to implement a brightenvironment even at night.

Also, when a road surface is drawn by color light sources of theperipheral illumination unit 5, it is possible to provide the peripheralpersons with information or diverse notifications.

Meanwhile, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, theperipheral illumination unit 5 is configured to illuminate the peripheryof the roof module 1 from the upper of the vehicle 90. However, theperipheral illumination unit 5 may be provided at a periphery of abottom part of the vehicle body. That is, the light output units 51arranged as the peripheral illumination unit 5 is not limited to theconfiguration where they are provided to the roof module 1.

Also, the peripheral illumination unit 5 may not be configured tonecessarily illuminate the entire circumference of 360° direction. Forexample, the peripheral illumination unit may be configured toilluminate only sides, only sides and rear, only a left side, only aright side and the like. Also, the peripheral illumination unit may beconfigured to illuminate a region of 300° direction, 250° direction andthe like, as the substantially entire circumference.

An example of a method of supplying the laser light to the light outputunit 51 (the R laser light output unit 5R, the G laser light output unit5G and the B laser light output unit 5B) of the peripheral illuminationunit 5 is described with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 depicts RGB laser diodes 22R, 22G, 22B of the laser light sourceunit 22 of the laser light engine 2. The respective emitted lights ofthe laser diodes 22R, 22G, 22B are irradiated to a rotating reflectiveplate 75. The rotating reflective plate 75 is configured to rotativelydrive about an axis J.

In the meantime, here, the rotating reflective plate 75 is a flatplate-shaped both-sided mirror. However, instead of the rotatingreflective plate 75, a polygon mirror consisting of a polyhedral mirrormay be used.

Collimator lenses CL and the optical fibers 6 are arranged around therotating reflective plate 75. The laser light made to be parallel lightby the collimator lens CL enters the optical fiber 6 from an incidenceend 6 a.

Here, the three optical fibers 6 corresponding to one set of the threecollimator lenses CL correspond to one light output unit 51 of theperipheral illumination unit 5.

For example, when the rotating reflective plate 75 is in a state shownwith a solid line, the respective RGB laser lights reflected on therotating reflective plate 75 are introduced into one set (three) of theoptical fibers 6 by any one set (three) of the collimator lenses CL, asshown with solid lines. The three optical fibers 6 supply the laserlights to the respective laser light output units (5R, 5G, 5B) of anyone light output unit 51 of the peripheral illumination unit 5.

Also, when the rotating reflective plate 75 is in a state shown with abroken line, the respective RGB laser lights reflected on the rotatingreflective plate 75 are introduced into one set of the optical fibers 6by any one set of the collimator lenses CL, as shown with broken lines.The three optical fibers 6 supply the laser lights to the respectivelaser light output units (5R, 5G, 5B) of one separate light output unit51 of the peripheral illumination unit 5.

Also, when the rotating reflective plate 75 is in a state shown with adashed-dotted line, the respective RGB laser lights reflected on therotating reflective plate 75 are introduced into one set (three) of theoptical fibers 6 by any one set (three) of the collimator lenses CL, asshown with dashed-dotted lines. The three optical fibers 6 supply thelaser lights to the respective laser light output units (5R, 5G, 5B) ofone separate light output unit 51 of the peripheral illumination unit 5.

Accordingly, it is possible to distribute the laser lights to therespective light output units 51 of the peripheral illumination unit 5by rotating the rotating reflective plate 75 at high speed whileoutputting the respective RGB laser lights from the respective RGB laserdiodes 22R, 22G, 22B of the laser light source unit 22. Thereby, it ispossible to implement the illumination in the 360° direction even thougheach light output unit 51 of the peripheral illumination unit 5 is notprovided with light source elements such as laser diodes.

Also, it is possible to perform the illumination only in a specificdirection or to turn off the illumination only in the specific directionby turning on and off the laser irradiation to the rotating reflectiveplate 75 in synchronization with rotation positions of the rotatingreflective plate 75.

Also, it is possible to change a color of the illuminating light of theperipheral illumination unit 5 by controlling light intensities of therespective RGB laser lights to be irradiated to the rotating reflectiveplate 75.

Also, it is possible to change a color of the illuminating light of theperipheral illumination unit 5 in a specific direction by controllingthe light intensities of the respective RGB laser lights to beirradiated to the rotating reflective plate 75 in synchronization withrotation positions of the rotating reflective plate 75.

In the meantime, as pictorially shown in FIG. 5, the emitted laserlights of the laser diodes 22R, 22G, 22B are directly irradiated to therotating reflective plate 75. However, actually, the irradiation may beperformed via a necessary optic system.

For example, the emitted laser lights of the laser diodes 22R, 22G, 22Bare incident on the other optical fibers 6 for supply to the headlightunit 3 and the rear light unit 4, as well. Therefore, it is favorablethat the emitted laser lights of the laser diodes 22R, 22G, 22B aredispersed by an optic element such as a beam splitter and parts thereofare irradiated to the rotating reflective plate 75, as lights for theperipheral illumination unit 5, as shown in FIG. 5.

Also, the laser diodes 22R, 22G, 22B may be configured as dedicatedlaser diodes for light supply to the peripheral illumination unit 5.

Subsequently, the monitoring sensor unit 7 is described. As describedabove, it is possible to recognize the peripheral person and object bythe monitoring of the monitoring sensor unit 7. When the monitoringsensor unit 7 includes the visible light camera 7 a and the far-infraredlight camera 7 b, it is possible to increase the recognition accuracy ofa person. In a captured image obtained by the visible light camera 7 a,a person can be recognized by a method such as pattern matching and thelike. In addition to this, when a captured image obtained by thefar-infrared light camera 7 b is used to determine a temperature of atarget part, it is possible to more accurately recognize whether thetarget is a person or not. This also applies to an animal.

Considering an safety aspect, it is also important to monitor thevicinity of the vehicle 90. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, themonitoring sensor unit 7 provided at the rear part of the vehicle 90 isarranged so that an angle of view in the vertical direction is below thehorizontal direction (the dashed-dotted line H) of the roof module 1,for example, within a range of θ2. By doing so, it is possible to alwaysrecognize a child HM and the like behind the vehicle 90.

By the monitoring sensor unit 7, it is possible to improve the safety byadopting the above configuration.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the illumination ofthe peripheral illumination unit 5 is used to improve the monitoringfunction as well.

When performing the imaging by the monitoring sensor unit 7, a clearnessdegree of an outline of an image is changed by an illumination state.Thereby, the recognition accuracy of objects including a person isvaried. Therefore, in order to further improve the image recognitionaccuracy, a color of the illuminating light by the peripheralillumination unit 5 is changed in accordance with the peripheralobjects.

Since each light output unit 51 of the peripheral illumination unit 5has the respective RGB laser light output units (5R, 5G, 5B), it ispossible to output the illuminating lights of diverse colors.

Also, as described above, it is possible to irradiate the illuminatinglight of a specific color only in a specific direction by changing theintensities of the laser lights to be supplied to the specific laserlight output units (5R, 5G, 5B).

In the meantime, even when each light output unit 51 has the lightsources such as LEDs, laser diodes and the like, for example, it ispossible to output the illuminating lights of diverse colors byarranging the LEDs and the like as the RGB light sources.

In order to improve the monitoring function, specifically, theillumination tailored to the color of the detected object is performed.Therefore, the control unit 20 is configured to execute color controlprocessing shown in FIG. 6 with respect to the illumination of theperipheral illumination unit 5.

In step S101, the control unit 20 monitors whether any object isdetected in any direction by the analysis unit 24. When any object isdetected, the control unit 20 extracts color data of the object, in stepS102. Specifically, the control unit acquires information of colorsconfiguring the detected object from the analysis unit 24.

In step S103, the control unit 20 determines a main color from theacquired color data. For example, the control unit sets, as the maincolor, a dominant color, a color of the largest ratio or the like of thedetected object.

In step S104, the control unit 20 performs control so that illuminationof the determined main color is to be output from the detectiondirection of the object.

Specifically, the control unit first acquires information of thedirection (direction seen from the vehicle body) of the detected objectfrom the analysis unit 24, and specifies the light output unit 51 toperform illumination in the direction. Then, the control unit controlsthe respective intensities of the RGB laser lights to be supplied to thelight output unit 51 so that the output light from the light output unit51 has the main color.

By the above processing, when a person who wears red clothes is detectedas the object, for example, red illumination is performed toward theperson. Also, when a yellow object is detected, yellow illumination isperformed toward the object.

In this way, the illumination is performed in conformity to the maincolor, so that the outline of the object becomes clear on the capturedimage obtained by the monitoring sensor unit 7. Thereby, the analysisunit 24 can accurately determine the outline of the object andaccurately specify what the object is by the pattern matching and thelike.

In step S105, the control unit 20 acquires an object specifying resultmade by the analysis unit 24. The processing is branched in step S106,depending on whether the object is a person or not. When the object is aperson, processing for person is executed, and otherwise, processing forobject is executed.

In this way, the illuminating light of color corresponding to the bodyto be detected is irradiated to the body to be detected, so that it ispossible to improve the recognition accuracy as the exterior environmentrecognition.

In the meantime, the illumination of color tailored to the body to bedetected is easily visually recognized by the person. For example, whena pedestrian wears blue clothes, blue illumination is irradiated, sothat the visibility of the pedestrian to the driver is improved.Thereby, it is possible to improve the safety.

Also, in the case that the environment recognition accuracy has beenimproved, for example, when a person is recognized, a part of theperipheral illumination unit 5, i.e., the illumination in the directionfacing toward the person is turned off or the illuminating lightintensity is lowered. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the glare frombeing irradiated to a peripheral person, for example, so that it ispossible to perform the more advanced control.

<Window Display>

An image display on each window 91 (the front window 91F, the left sidewindow 91LS, the right side window 91RS and the rear window 91RR) isdescribed.

Each window 91 is configured as a panel capable of controlling thetransmissivity, and is formed as a completely transmissive window, sothat each window functions as a window through which the passenger canusually recognize the periphery.

Also, on each window 91, it is possible to provide a display to thepassenger in the vehicle interior by projecting an image from the imageprojection unit 8 and lowering the transmissivity of the projected part(a display of a vehicle interior image). Also, on each window 91, it ispossible to provide a display a person outside the vehicle by projectingan image from the image projection unit 8 and increasing thetransmissivity of the projected part (a display of a vehicle exteriorimage).

The respective projectors 8 a to 8 f of the image projection unit 8 areconfigured to perform image projection with being arranged as shown inFIG. 7, for example. The respective projectors 8 a to 8 f are arrangedon a bottom surface of the roof module 1 so that projection directionsas shown are to be obtained, for example.

An arrangement position of the projector 8 a is set so that the imageprojection is performed on the entire front window 91F. An arrangementposition of the projector 8 b is set so that the image projection isperformed on the entire rear window 91RR. An arrangement position of theprojector 8 c is set so that the image projection is performed on asubstantial half range of the vehicle front-side of the right sidewindow 91RS. An arrangement position of the projector 8 d is set so thatthe image projection is performed on a substantial half range of thevehicle rear-side of the right side window 91RS. An arrangement positionof the projector 8 e is set so that the image projection is performed ona substantial half range of the vehicle front-side of the left sidewindow 91LS. An arrangement position of the projector 8 f is set so thatthe image projection is performed on a substantial half range of thevehicle rear-side of the left side window 91LS.

The respective projectors 8 a to 8 f of the image projection unit 8 arearranged as described above, so that it is possible to perform a varietyof image displays on all the windows 91.

The respective projectors 8 a to 8 f may be configured to project anindependent image, respectively, or to project partial images so thatone continuous image is to be formed on the adjacent windows.

FIG. 8 depicts a state where a vehicle interior image 100 is displayedon the front window 91F by the projector 8 a. The front window 91F ismostly in a through-state (a state of transmissivity in which the windowis visually recognized as substantially transparent), so that thepassenger can see a scene in front of the vehicle. In this state, thetransmissivity of the front window 91F is lowered at a part and aprojection image of the projector 8 a is displayed on the correspondingpart. For example, a traveling speed, an RPM, a shift position, atraveling distance, time, a traveling mode and the like are displayed asthe vehicle interior image 100.

In the meantime, in case of the full-automatic driving, it is notrequired that each window 91 (particularly, the front window 91F) shouldbe always in the through-state for the passenger. Therefore, as thevehicle interior image 100, the transmissivity of each window 91 may belowered to perform projection such as a screen image theater.

Also, one vehicle interior image 100 may be displayed over the adjacentwindows 91, for example, the front window 91F and the left and rightside windows (91LS, 91RS) by a large-scale screen. Also, an image may beprojected on the four windows 91 as a 360° screen. The display on theplurality of the windows 91 can be performed by a setting of projectionimages of the projectors 8 a to 8 f. That is, one image may be dividedin the horizontal direction and projected from the respective projectors8 a to 8 f.

The display content of the vehicle interior image 100 using each window91 as a screen is further described.

As the vehicle interior image 100, for example, a map image, anavigation image, a message image relating to a vehicle state, anotification of a peripheral situation, an alert image or character,diverse screen image contents, an enlarged image of a display screen ofan information processing apparatus such as a portable teiniinal, awebsite image, and the like may be exemplified.

FIG. 9 depicts an example where a vehicle exterior image 101 isdisplayed on the front window 91F and the left side window 91LS by theprojectors 8 a, 8 e, 8 f, for example.

The front window 91F and the left side window 91LS have a structurecapable of enabling a projected image to be visually recognized from theoutside.

In the example of FIG. 9, an image for recommending a person who triesto cross a road to first cross the road is displayed using the frontwindow 91F and the left side window 91LS. In particular, the frontwindow 91F and the left side window 91LS are treated as one large-scalescreen and the image is displayed over the windows, so that thevisibility to the outside and the notification ability are improved.

The display content of the vehicle exterior image 101 using each window91 as a screen is further described.

As the vehicle exterior image 101, notification information indicatingwhether there is a passenger in the vehicle 90, a display such as underpickup/under service/under return and the like, a message for aperipheral pedestrian and the like, a message or warning for a leadingvehicle, a following vehicle and the like, an alert, an image for urginga person outside a vehicle to get in the vehicle, and the like areexemplified.

In the meantime, the vehicle interior image 100 and the vehicle exteriorimage 101 can also be projected at the same time.

An example of a method of displaying images on an inner surface and anouter surface of the window 91 by the projectors 8 a to 8 f mounted inthe vehicle is described.

FIGS. 10A and 10B pictorially depict a structure of the window 91. Asshown in FIG. 10A, the window 91 has a structure where it is dividedinto a plurality of line-shaped regions by horizontal division lines,for example. The divided regions are three types of a mirror region 150,a transmission region 151, and a diffusion region 152. A set of themirror region 150, the transmission region 151 and the diffusion region152 is continuously provided in a vertical direction, so that the window91 is formed.

A vertical width of each region (150, 151, 152) may be a width of one toseveral lines, several tens of lines or multiple lines of a frame of animage to be projected, for example. The width may be set in accordancewith a vertical resolution of an image or an image visibility. Fordescriptions, the vertical width of each region is denoted as a width ofx lines of an image.

The mirror region 150 is a region in which a mirror 160 is formed. Themirror 160 is configured to reflect downward light incident from adirection in the vehicle interior.

The transmission region 151 is a region through which light is topenetrate with high transmissivity.

The diffusion region 152 is a region in which a diffusion plate 161 isprovided.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 10B, light 170 incident on the mirrorregion 150 from the vehicle interior is reflected on the mirror 160,passes downward the transmission region 151 from above, and reaches thediffusion plate 161. The diffusion plate 161 is arranged with beinginclined, as shown, so that the light 170 diffuses outward at thediffusion plate 161. In this state, an image formed by the light 170 isvisually recognized from an outside of the window 91.

Also, light 171 from the vehicle exterior reaches the vehicle interiorthrough the transmission region 151. Accordingly, the passenger canvisually recognize a scene of the vehicle exterior.

Also, light 172 incident on the diffusion region 152 from the vehicleinterior is projected to the diffusion plate 161 and diffuses. In thisstate, an image formed by the light 172 is visually recognized from aninner side of the window 91.

That is, the projectors 8 a to 8 f may emit the vehicle interior image100 and the vehicle exterior image 101, as projection lights, asfollows.

In frame data of the vehicle interior image 100, a first x line of aframe is set to blank (pixel data of zero gradation), a next x line isalso set to blank, and pixel data configuring an image is arranged at anext x line. Such data arrangement is vertically repeated to form eachframe data. Then, the projection is performed on the basis of the framedata. Then, the projection light configuring an image is projected tothe diffusion region 152, so that the passenger can visually recognizean image.

In frame data of the vehicle exterior image 101, pixel data configuringan image is arranged at a first x line of a frame, a next x line is setto blank, and a next x line is also set to blank. Such data arrangementis vertically repeated to form each frame data. Then, the projection isperformed on the basis of the frame data. Then, the projection lightconfiguring an image is projected to the mirror region 150, so that animage can be visually recognized from an outside.

When displaying the vehicle interior image 100 and the vehicle exteriorimage 101 on the front and rear surfaces of the window, the vehicleinterior image data and the vehicle exterior image data are synthesized.That is, in frame data of a synthesized image, pixel data configuringthe vehicle exterior image 101 is arranged at a first x line of a frame,a next x line is set to blank, and pixel data configuring the vehicleinterior image 100 is arranged at a next x line. Such data arrangementis vertically repeated to form each frame data, and then the projectionis performed.

In the above method, projection positions of the projectors 8 a to 8 fshould be accurately matched to positions of the regions (150, 151, 152)of the window 91. Therefore, according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention, a camera capable of recognizing an image displaystate on the window 91, a light quantity sensor or the like is providedin the vehicle, and a projection position is automatically adjusted in aprojected state of the vehicle interior image 100 so that the vehicleinterior image 100 can be favorably displayed. In the aboveconfiguration, when the vehicle interior image 100 is set to a state inwhich it is to be appropriately displayed, as a positional relation, thevehicle exterior image 101 can also be appropriately projected.

Another method of displaying images inside and outside the window 91 isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 11A, 11B and 12.

FIG. 11A depicts an example where projectors 8in (for example, theprojectors 8 a to 8 f) are arranged inside the vehicle and projectors8out are additionally arranged outside the vehicle, for example, at anawning part of a ceiling part 181 of the roof module 1.

The window 91 has a two-layered structure where a vehicle exterior sideis referred to as a window part 183 and a vehicle interior side isreferred to as a liquid crystal shutter part 182. The liquid crystalshutter part 182 is a layer of which transmissivity varies by a voltageto be applied to both end electrodes of enclosed liquid crystals.

By the above structure, according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention, the vehicle interior image 100 is projected by theprojectors 8in, and the vehicle exterior image 101 is projected by theprojectors 8out. At the image projection parts by the projectors 8in,8out, the transmissivity of the liquid crystal shutter part 182 islowered. That is, the control unit 20 requests the ECU 92 to control thetransmissivity of a region to which the vehicle exterior image 101 is tobe projected and a region to which the vehicle interior image 100 is tobe projected, as regions on each window 91, thereby controlling thetransmissivity for each region of the window 91. The control unitinstructs the image projection unit 8 to project an image to eachregion. In this way, it is possible to appropriately display the vehicleinterior image 100 and the vehicle exterior image 101, respectively.

FIG. 12 depicts an example of arrangement positions of the projectors8out of the vehicle exterior. For example, the 10 projectors 8out arearranged as projectors 8 g to 8 p. For example, projectors 8 g, 8 h, 8 iconfigured to perform projection onto the front window 91F, projectors 8j, 8 k, 81 configured to perform projection onto the rear window 91RR,projectors 8 m, 8 n configured to perform projection onto the right sidewindow 91RS, and projectors 8 o, 8 p configured to perform projectiononto the left side window 91LS are provided, so that it is possible tomake a display in the entire circumferential direction of the vehicle 90by the projectors.

When the projectors 8out are provided in this way, it is also possibleto draw a road surface by the projectors 8out. In FIG. 12, a state wherethe projectors 8 m, 8 n perform projection onto a road surface is shownwith broken lines. However, it is possible to present notification to aperson outside the vehicle by changing the projection direction anddisplaying diverse images on the road surface. For example, a guide forgetting in or out a vehicle may be displayed on the road surface.

FIG. 11B depicts an example of other structure. The window 91 has athree-layered structure where a transmissive OLED (OrganicElectro-Luminescence Display) part 184, a window part 183 and a liquidcrystal shutter part 182 are formed in order from the vehicle exteriorside. In this case, the vehicle interior image 100 is projected by theprojectors 8in (for example, the projectors 8 a to 8 f) and the vehicleexterior image 101 is displayed by the transmissive OLED part 184. Alsoin this structure, it is possible to display an image inside and outsidethe vehicle. Also, since the transmissive OLED part 184 is used and thetransmissive property of the window 91 is thus secured, the exteriorvisibility of the passenger is also kept.

Although the diverse window structures and display devices (theprojectors and OLED) have been described, there are a variety of methodsof displaying an image inside and outside the vehicle by the window 91.

Also, in the structure example of the window 91, a display region 190shown with diagonal lines in FIG. 13A may be applied to the entirewindow 91, for example. Thereby, it is possible to improve a degree offreedom of the image display and to implement a large-scale screen.

Also, as shown in FIG. 13B, a center of the window 91 may be set as atransmission region 191, and the display region 190 may be set as aperipheral part of the window 91. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13C,band-shaped display regions 190 may be formed only at upper and lowerparts of the window 91, and a center in the vertical direction may beset as the transmission region 191.

In the structures, the transmission region 191 is a simple glass region,which has the high transmissivity all the time and is not used fordisplay. The transmission region 191 is provided, so that it is possibleto obtain a region in which the exterior visibility of the passenger isalways completely secured.

<Turn Signal>

Subsequently, the turn signal function is described.

Each window 91 is configured to function as the light output unit fordisplaying the vehicle exterior image 101, as well. That is, the window91 may be used as a lamp. An example where the turn signal function isimplemented using the window 91 is described.

FIG. 14A to 14C depict an example where a turn signal image 101T isdisplayed as the vehicle exterior image 101 using the image projectionby the projectors 8 a to 8 f.

For example, FIG. 14A to 14C depict a turn signal upon left turn. Thedisplay shifts as shown in FIG. 14A→FIG. 14B→FIG. 14C→FIG. 14A . . . ,so that a sequential turn signal is expressed. That is, the lights moveso that both a light emission position of the front window 91F, which isthe light output unit provided at the vehicle body front part, and alight emission position of the light output unit (the front part of theleft side window 91LS) provided at the front part of the left-sidesurface of the vehicle body face toward the left front corner part 95FLof the vehicle 90. Also, the lights move so that both a light emissionposition of the light output unit (the rear window 91RR) provided at thevehicle body rear part and a light emission position of the light outputunit (the rear part of the left side window 91LS) provided at the rearpart of the left-side surface of the vehicle body face toward the leftrear corner part 95RL of the vehicle 90. For example, a display is madeas if waves of the lights advance toward the left front corner part 95FLand the left rear corner part 95RL.

Although not shown, also in the case of a turn signal upon right turn,the lights move so that both a light emission position of the frontwindow 91F, which is the light output unit provided at the vehicle bodyfront part, and a light emission position of the light output unit (thefront part of the right side window 91RS) provided at the front part ofthe right-side surface of the vehicle body face toward the right frontcorner part 95FR (refer to FIG. 7) of the vehicle 90. Also, the lightsmove so that both a light emission position of the light output unit(the rear window 91RR) provided at the vehicle body rear part and alight emission position of the light output unit (the rear part of theright side window 91RS) provided at the rear part of the right-sidesurface of the vehicle body face toward the right rear corner part 95RRof the vehicle 90.

The light emission parts (light output positions) are moved using thelarge-scale display surface referred to as the window 91, so that it ispossible to implement the turn signal of which visibility and impressiondegree are high.

Particularly, focusing on the corner part 95, in the case of the leftturn, the corner parts 95FL, 95RL are visually recognized as if they areblinked, and in the case of the right turn, the corner parts 95FR, 95RRare visually recognized as if they are blinked. The blinking isperformed at the vehicle corner parts, so that a person can usuallyrecognize the same as the turn signal.

Also, as the sequential turn, an upper end position of an end of emittedlight becomes higher as it comes closer to the corner part 95. Thereby,a warning function as the turn signal is improved.

In the meantime, for example, the turn signal in which the lightsequentially moves toward the corner part of the vehicle body can alsobe implemented in a lamp configuration of a vehicle 90A as shown in FIG.15A.

The vehicle 90A shown in FIG. 15A has turn lights 110L, 110R at a rearpart of the vehicle, and has also a turn light 111R at a rear part of aside surface of the vehicle (the left-side surface is also the samealthough it is not shown).

Upon the right turn, the turn lights 110R, 111R perform a sequentiallighting as if the lights advance toward the corner part 95RR. Forexample, the turn lights 110R, 111R have four divided lighting parts,respectively, and are configured so that the lighting is sequentiallyperformed from the lighting part far from the corner part 95RR, as shownin FIG. 15B→FIG. 15C→FIG. 15D→FIG. 15E. By the lighting, it is possibleto display the turn signal as if the lights advance toward the cornerpart 95RR.

Also, the similar sequential turn signal can be implemented in a lampconfiguration of a vehicle 90B as shown in FIG. 16A.

The vehicle 90B shown in FIG. 16A has turn lights 112L, 112R in thevicinity of a headlight 113 at a front part of the vehicle, and has alsoa turn light 111L at a front part of a side surface of the vehicle (theright-side surface is also the same although it is not shown).

Upon the left turn, the turn lights 112L, 111L perform a sequentiallighting as if the lights advance toward the corner part 95FL. Forexample, the turn lights 112L, 111L have four divided lighting parts,respectively, and are configured so that the lighting is sequentiallyperformed from the lighting part far from the corner part 95FL, as shownin FIG. 16B→FIG. 16C→FIG. 16D→FIG. 16E. By the lighting, it is possibleto display the turn signal as if the lights advance toward the cornerpart 95FL.

In any example of FIGS. 15A to 15E and 16A to 16E, the lamp shape is setso that as the sequential turn, the upper end position of the end of theemitted light becomes higher as it comes closer to the corner part 95.Thereby, the warning function as the turn signal is improved.

A vehicle lamp according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention includes a plurality of types of light output units (theheadlight unit 3, the rear light unit 4 and the peripheral illuminationunit 5) having different illumination functions, a light emission driveunit (the laser light engine 2) configured to cause the plurality oftypes of light output units to output lights, and a monitoring sensor(the monitoring sensor units 7), and is arranged at an upper part of thevehicle 90.

That is, the vehicle lamp in which the respective units are unitized isconfigured as the roof module 1, and is arranged at the upper part ofthe vehicle 90.

By the roof module 1, it is possible to arrange the diverse illuminationfunctions for the vehicle 90.

Also, in this case, the illumination is efficiently performed from thehigh position of the vehicle 90 by each light output unit, and theperiphery monitoring is executed by the monitoring sensor units 7. Bythe illumination from the high position, it is possible to improve thevisibility of the road surface and the like. In particular, the vicinityof the vehicle is illuminated at an angle from the high position by thespot beam output unit 3S or the peripheral illumination unit 5, so thatthe peripheral brightness is improved. Also, in this state, theperipheral monitoring is executed from the high position, so that it ispossible to improve the recognizability of the peripheral person andobject. By these configurations, it is possible to contribute to theimprovement on the safety upon the vehicle traveling.

Also, the vehicle lamp is configured as the unit serving as the roofmodule 1 in which the illumination function and the monitoring functionare integrated. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configurationof the vehicle and to efficiently manufacture the vehicle.

In the meantime, as the light emission drive unit (the laser lightengine 2), a light source other than the laser light source such as LEDmay be used, and a plurality of types of other light sources may beused.

Also, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the pluralityof types of light output units (the headlight unit 3, the rear lightunit 4 and the peripheral illumination unit 5) is an output unit of thelaser light, respectively, and the light emission drive unit (the laserlight engine 2) includes the laser light source unit 22 and the drivecircuit 23 of the laser light source. The laser light output from thelaser light source unit 22 is supplied to each light output unit by theoptical fibers 6, which are a light guiding path, and is then output.Like this, the light output units are configured to output the laserlight from the common laser light source, so that the laser light sourceis shared. Thereby, parts for which it is necessary to radiate heat aremade as one part, so that it is possible to easily and efficiently makethe configuration for heat radiation. That is, according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention, a heat radiation structure isconcentrated on the arrangement position of the laser light engine 2.Also, even when it is necessary to heat the light source for use in acold weather region and the like, it is sufficient to heat only one partof the laser light engine 2. Thereby, it is possible to simplify aconfiguration for heat radiation and heating.

Also, when using the light guiding path such as the optical fibers 6,parts of the optical fibers 6 are exposed to the outside of the vehicle,so that the optical fibers configure a part of an exterior appearancedesign, like one or more embodiments of the present invention. Thereby,it is possible to improve the design property of the vehicle.

The roof module 1, which is the vehicle lamp of one or more embodimentsof the present invention, is formed as the roof unit of the vehicle 90.That is, the vehicle lamp itself is configured as a roof of the vehicle90. By this structure, it is possible to easily mount the vehicle lampto the vehicle 90. Also, it is possible to easily replace the vehiclelamp. Also, it is possible to personalize the roof module 1 as thevehicle lamp. For example, a person may customize the vehicle 90 byusing the roof module 1.

In the vehicle lamp (the roof module 1) of one or more embodiments ofthe present invention, the light output unit (for example, the high beamoutput unit 3H) of far light distribution is provided as one type of theplurality of types of light output units having different illuminationfunctions and the light output unit (for example, the peripheralillumination unit 5) of peripheral light distribution for illuminatingthe periphery of the vehicle is provided as another type of theplurality of types of light output units having different illuminationfunctions.

Therefore, it is possible to form a vehicle lamp unit for implementingthe illumination of far light distribution such as the headlight and therear light necessary for the vehicle traveling and the peripheralillumination for peripheral illumination and monitoring. For example, itis possible to provide all the illumination functions of the vehicle bythe vehicle lamp unit.

Also, the roof module 1 includes the power supply circuit unit 21configured to generate operating power of each unit and the control unit20 configured to control the light emitting operation and to control thelight emitting operation corresponding to the detection information ofthe monitoring sensor 7.

That is, the power supply circuit unit and the control unit are alsoincluded and unitized. Thereby, it is possible to easily mount the roofmodule 1 to the vehicle. Also, the control unit 20 is configured toexecute the light emission control corresponding to the peripheralsituation, so that it is possible to implement the light emittingoperation of an aspect corresponding to the situation.

Also, the vehicle lamp of one or more embodiments of the presentinvention includes the light output units 51 of the peripheralillumination unit 5 capable of expressing a plurality of colors as theilluminating light, and the plurality of the light output units 51 isarranged along the circumferential direction of the vehicle so that theilluminating light from the plurality of the light output units 51 canbe irradiated in the entire peripheral direction of the vehicle.Thereby, it is possible to implement a new function of implementing theillumination in the 360° direction of the entire circumference of thevehicle 90. Also, it is possible to increase the recognizability of theexterior environment of the vehicle and to improve the safety.

Also, when the vehicle 90 having the vehicle lamp (the roof module 1)mounted thereto is spread, it is expected that the vehicle itself willbe an infrastructure and function as a night illumination in a regionalenvironment where the vehicle 90 is located. That is, all the peripheralilluminations have functions not only as the lamp of the vehicle 90 butalso as a lamp in environments.

The roof module 1 as the vehicle lamp of one or more embodiments of thepresent invention has the monitoring sensor units 7 (the imaging unit)for exterior environment recognition, and the monitoring sensor units 7are arranged so that the entire peripheral direction of the vehicle 90can be captured by the monitoring sensor units 7. Also, the roof moduleincludes the analysis unit 24 configured to execute processing ofdetecting the body to be detected as the object or person around thevehicle from the captured image obtained by the monitoring sensor units7, and the control unit 20 configured to variably control a color of theilluminating light of the light output unit 51, which is configured toirradiate the illuminating light at least in the direction in which thebody to be detected recognized by the analysis unit 24 exists, of thelight output units 51 of the peripheral illumination unit 5, inaccordance with the main color of the body to be detected

That is, the body to be detected as a person or an object is recognizedusing the captured images of the entire peripheral direction of thevehicle obtained by the monitoring sensor units 7. The illuminatinglight of a color corresponding to the body to be detected is irradiatedto the body to be detected (refer to FIG. 6). Thereby, it is possible toimprove the recognition accuracy by the image analysis on a person or anobject outside the vehicle. Also, it is possible to highlight aperipheral person or object, thereby improving the visibility of thevehicle passenger on the exterior environments. Therefore, it ispossible to highly contribute to the improvement on the safety.

In the meantime, one camera may be mounted as the monitoring sensor unit7, other than the plurality of cameras. For example, a 360° camera maybe arranged on a central upper surface of the roof so as to capture theentire peripheral direction.

Also, when the body to be detected recognized as the exteriorenvironment is located at a near place, a part of the peripheralillumination unit may be turned off or light-shielded. For example, whena person is recognized, the light distribution in the vicinity of a headof the person may be light-shielded or the light output unit 51performing the illumination in the direction of the recognized personmay be turned off so that the glare is not to be irradiated to theperipheral person.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the monitoringsensor unit 7 as the imaging unit includes the visible light camera 7 aconfigured to capture the visible light and the far-infrared lightcamera 7 b configured to capture the far-infrared light.

That is, in one imaging unit, a captured image by the visible lightcamera and a captured image by the far-infrared light camera areobtained as an image in the imaging direction of the one imaging unit,and the body to be detected is detected and recognized using the images.The captured image by the far-infrared light camera is used, so that itis possible to increase the detection accuracy of the peripheral person,animal and the like. For example, it is possible to accurately detect apedestrian around the vehicle, a child/baby behind the vehicle, and thelike, so that it is possible to contribute to improvement on the safety.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the plurality oflight output units 51 of the peripheral illumination unit 5 is alignedin line on the entire circumference surface of the roof part of thevehicle, and the vertical light emission direction of the light outputunit 51 is below the horizontal direction of the roof part (refer toFIGS. 4A and 4B).

The peripheral illumination unit is provided to the roof part, so thatit is possible to improve the visibility of the peripheral illuminationfrom persons around the vehicle 90 at a relatively high position.

Thereby, it is possible to improve the peripheral person's recognitionabout the illumination of the peripheral illumination unit and to easilytransfer the illumination notification. The peripheral illumination unitis arranged at the upper part, which is advantageous to draw the roadsurface by the peripheral illuminating light.

Also, the light distribution is made to be below the horizontaldirection of the roof part, so that it is possible to prevent the glarefrom being irradiated to a peripheral person or a far person.

In the meantime, the peripheral illumination unit 5 may be provided inthe vicinity of the bottom part of the vehicle body 90. That is, thepresent invention is not limited to the configuration where theperipheral illumination unit is provided to the roof module 1.

Also, the light output unit 51 has the output units (5R, 5G, 5B) of therespective laser lights of red light, green light and blue light. Thelight output units configured to output the R (red) laser light, G(green) laser light and B (blue) laser light are aligned, so that it ispossible to perform illumination, exterior notification and the like bythe diverse color expressions.

Also, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the vehiclebody 90 having the roof module 1 includes the light output unitsprovided on the side surfaces of the vehicle body 90. The light outputunits are the windows 91RS, 91LS, the turn light 111L shown in FIG. 16Ato 16E, and the like. The light output unit is configured to perform theturn signal light emission (sequential light emission) in which the endof the emitted light gradually moves toward the front part of thevehicle body.

Thereby, it is possible to implement, as the turn signal of the vehicle90, the highly recognizable light output from the peripheral person,particularly, from the side of the vehicle.

Also, in the examples of FIGS. 14A to 14C and 16A to 16E, the lightoutput unit is configured to perform the light emission in such a waythat the upper end of the emitted light becomes higher toward the frontside of the vehicle body. Like this, upon the sequential light emission,the upper end of the light emission region becomes gradually higher, sothat it is possible to further improve the recognizability of the turnsignal.

Also, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the lightoutput units configured to perform light output separately from eachother for each of the left front, left rear, right front and right rearcorner parts 95 of the vehicle body at least at both side positions ofthe corner part 95 are provided. The light output units are the windows91 (91F, 91RS, 91LS, 91RR), the turn lights 111R, 111L of FIGS. 15A to15E and 16A to 16E, and the like.

Also, as the right turn signal, the light is output to each of the rightfront and right rear corner parts 95FR, 95RR from the light output unitsof both sides of each corner part.

The light output units of both sides are the front window 91F and theright side window 91RS with respect to the corner part 95FR, forexample. Alternatively, the light output units are the turn light 112Rshown in FIG. 16A to 16E and the turn light (not shown) formed at theright side in the same manner as the turn light 111L.

The light output units of both sides with respect to the corner part95RR are the rear window 91RR and the right side window 91RS.Alternatively, the light output units are the turn lights 110R, 111Rshown in FIG. 15A to 15E.

Also, as the left turn signal, the light is output to each of the leftfront and left rear corner parts 95FL, 95RL from the light output unitsof both sides of each corner part.

The light output units of both sides are the front window 91F and theleft side window 91LS with respect to the corner part 95FL, for example.Alternatively, the light output units are the turn light 112L, 111Lshown in FIG. 16A to 16E.

The light output units of both sides with respect to the corner part95RL are the rear window 91RR and the left side window 91LS.Alternatively, the light output units are the turn light 110L shown inFIG. 15A to 15E and the turn light (not shown) formed at the left sidein the same manner as the turn light 111R.

In this way, the light output units are formed at both side positions ofeach corner part, as seen from each corner part 95 of the vehicle body.As the right turn signal, the light output is performed at least at theright side of the vehicle body front part, at the front and rear partsof the right-side surface of the vehicle body, and at the right side ofthe vehicle body rear part. As the left turn signal, the light output isperformed at least at the left side of the vehicle body front part, atthe front and rear parts of the left-side surface, and at the left sideof the vehicle body rear part.

Therefore, it is possible to implement, as the turn signal of thevehicle, the highly recognizable light output from the peripheralpersons.

Also, in the case of the right turn signal, the light output operationis performed so that both the light emission position of the lightoutput unit provided at the vehicle body front part and the lightemission position of the light output unit provided at the front part ofthe right-side surface of the vehicle body face toward the right frontcorner part 95FR of the vehicle and both the light emission position ofthe light output unit provided at the vehicle body rear part and thelight emission position of the light output unit provided at the rearpart of the right-side surface of the vehicle body face toward the rightrear corner part 95RR of the vehicle.

In the case of the left turn signal, the light output operation isperformed so that both the light emission position of the light outputunit provided at the vehicle body front part and the light emissionposition of the light output unit provided at the front part of theleft-side surface of the vehicle body face toward the left front cornerpart 95FL of the vehicle and both the light emission position of thelight output unit provided at the vehicle body rear part and the lightemission position of the light output unit provided at the rear part ofthe left-side surface of the vehicle body face toward the left rearcorner part 95RL of the vehicle (refer to FIGS. 14A to 14C, 15A to 15Eand 16A to 16E).

That is, in the case of the right turn, the display is performed as ifthe lights (light output positions) advance from both sides toward thefront and rear corner parts (95FR, 95RR) of the right side of thevehicle body, and in the case of the left turn, the sequential turnsignal display is performed as if the lights (light output positions)advance from both sides toward the front and rear corner parts (95FL,95RL) of the left side of the vehicle body. Thereby, it is possible toperform the notifications of the right and left turns having the highvisibility.

Also, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the frontwindow 91F, the right side window 91RS, the left side window 91LS andthe rear window 91RR of the vehicle are respectively configured as thelight output units, and the windows 91 of the vehicle are used as thelarge-scale light output units to perform the turn signal lightemission.

The window 91 of the vehicle 90 having a large area is used as the lightoutput unit, so that it is possible to implement the turn signal ofwhich impression degree is high and the visibility is favorable.

In particular, as the vehicle exterior image 101, the display of theturn signal image 101T is also performed (refer to FIG. 14A to 14C). Theturn signal image 101T, which indicates the turn direction as any one ofthe right and left corner parts becomes noticeable by the windowdisplay, is displayed, so that it is possible to generate the turnsignal light having higher impression degree and visibility, as diverseimages or dynamic images.

Also, focusing on the corner part 95, the turn signal display shown inFIG. 14A to 14C is a display operation of blinking the corner part 95.That is, the turn direction is indicated by any one blinking of the leftand right corner parts, so that it is possible to increase therecognizability as the turn signal.

Also, the image projection unit 8 arranged at the vehicle 90 isconfigured to project the turn signal light to each window 91, therebyoutputting the turn signal light from each window 91 as the light outputunit.

By the configuration where the image projection unit 8 projects an imageon the window to generate the turn signal, it is possible to improve thedegree of freedom of generating the turn signal light having highimpression degree and visibility, as diverse images or dynamic images.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised whichdo not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by theattached claims.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 . . . roof module, 2 . . . laser light engine, 3 . . . headlight unit,4 . . . rear light unit, 5 . . . peripheral illumination unit, 6 . . .optical fiber, 7 . . . monitoring sensor unit, 8 . . . image projectionunit, 20 . . . control unit, 21 . . . power supply circuit unit, 22 . .. laser light source unit, 23 . . . drive circuit, 24 . . . analysisunit, 51 . . . light output unit 91 . . . window, 91F . . . frontwindow, 91RS . . . right side window, 91LS . . . left side window, 91RR. . . rear window

1. A vehicle lamp comprising: a plurality of types of light output unitshaving different illumination functions; a light emission drive unitconfigured to cause the plurality of types of light output units tooutput lights, and a monitoring sensor, wherein the vehicle lamp isarranged at an upper part of a vehicle.
 2. The vehicle lamp according toclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of types of light output unitsoutputs laser light, wherein the light emission drive unit comprises alaser light source and a drive circuit of the laser light source, andwherein a laser light output from the laser light source is supplied toeach light output unit by a light guiding path and is then output. 3.The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle lamp isconfigured as a roof unit of the vehicle.
 4. The vehicle lamp accordingto claim 1, wherein a far light distribution light output unit isprovided as one type of the plurality of types of light output unitshaving different illumination functions, and a peripheral lightdistribution light output unit for illuminating a periphery of thevehicle is provided as another type of the plurality of types of lightoutput units having different illumination functions.
 5. The vehiclelamp according to claim 1, further comprising: a power supply circuitconfigured to generate operating power of each unit, and a controllerconfigured to control a light emitting operation and to control a lightemitting operation corresponding to detection information of themonitoring sensor.
 6. A vehicle lamp comprising: a peripheralillumination unit comprising a plurality of light output units capableof expressing a plurality of colors as illuminating light, wherein theplurality of the light output units are arranged along a circumferentialdirection of a vehicle to illuminate the illuminating light in an entireperipheral direction of the vehicle.
 7. The vehicle lamp according toclaim 6, further comprising: one or more imaging units for exteriorenvironment recognition, the one or more imaging units being arranged tocapture the entire peripheral direction of the vehicle, an imageanalysis unit configured to execute processing of detecting a body to bedetected as an object or a person around the vehicle from a capturedimage obtained by the one or more imaging units, and a controllerconfigured to variably control a color of illuminating light of thelight output unit, which is configured to irradiate illuminating lightat least in a direction in which the body to be detected recognized bythe image analysis unit exists, of the light output units of theperipheral illumination unit, in accordance with a main color of thebody to be detected.
 8. The vehicle lamp according to claim 7, whereinthe imaging units comprise a visible light camera configured to capturevisible light and a far-infrared light camera configured to capturefar-infrared light, respectively.
 9. The vehicle lamp according to claim6, wherein the plurality of light output units of the peripheralillumination unit is aligned in line on an entire circumference surfaceof a roof part of the vehicle, and wherein a vertical light emissiondirection of the light output units is below a horizontal direction ofthe roof part.
 10. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, wherein thelight output units comprise laser light output units that emit redlight, green light and blue light, respectively.
 11. A vehicle lampcomprising: a light output unit provided on a side surface of a vehiclebody, wherein the light output unit is configured to perform turn signallight emission in which an end of emitted light moves toward a frontpart of the vehicle body.
 12. The vehicle lamp according to claim 11,wherein the light output unit is configured to perform light emissionsuch that an upper end of the emitted light becomes higher toward thefront part of the vehicle.
 13. A vehicle lamp comprising: light outputunits configured to perform light output separately from each other foreach of left front, left rear, right front and right rear corner partsof a vehicle body at least at both side positions of the corner part,wherein the vehicle lamp is configured to perform light output for eachof the right front and right rear corner parts from the light outputunits of both sides of each corner part, as a right turn signal, andwherein the vehicle lamp is configured to perform light output for eachof the left front and left rear corner parts from the light output unitsof both sides of each corner part, as a left turn signal.
 14. Thevehicle lamp according to claim 13, wherein in the case of the rightturn signal, a light output operation is performed so that both a lightemission position of the light output unit provided at a vehicle bodyfront part and a light emission position of the light output unitprovided at a front part of a right-side surface of the vehicle bodyface toward the right front corner part of the vehicle and both a lightemission position of the light output unit provided at a vehicle bodyrear part and a light emission position of the light output unitprovided at a rear part of the right-side surface of the vehicle bodyface toward the right rear corner part of the vehicle, and wherein inthe case of the left turn signal, a light output operation is performedso that both a light emission position of the light output unit providedat the vehicle body front part and a light emission position of thelight output unit provided at a front part of a left-side surface of thevehicle body face toward the left front corner part of the vehicle andboth a light emission position of the light output unit provided at thevehicle body rear part and a light emission position of the light outputunit provided at a rear part of the left-side surface of the vehiclebody face toward the left rear corner part of the vehicle.
 15. Thevehicle lamp according to claim 13, wherein a front window, a right sidewindow, a left side window, and a rear window of the vehicle arerespectively configured as the light output units.